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The Law School is focused on meeting the financial needs of our students. Students entering the Law School could have a combination of scholarships and grants to meet the cost of attendance. Our generous residency policy allows students who complete statutory requirements, to become Connecticut residents after one year of study. This change reduces the tuition for out-of-state students by half. These factors contribute greatly to our low law school debt load.

The Admissions office awards all merit based scholarships to the incoming class. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, dedication to public interest, practice area or undergraduate institution. With one exception, there is no application process for the merit based awards. All admitted students are automatically considered for scholarships.

The Financial Aid Office awards need based aid including Tuition Remission, Opportunity Grant and Federal Work Study funds, to eligible students. In addition, the Office ensures that all students are able to finance their law school education up to the cost of attendance. Each financial aid award could include scholarships, grants, loans, federal work-study and/or alternate loans.

The Law School recognizes that financing a legal education is of great concern to our students. UConn Law is affordable and there are a variety of scholarships which may help you reduce your overall debt.
All applicants admitted to the Law School are considered for merit-based scholarships. One exception is the Public Interest Law Scholarship which does require a separate application.

Types of Scholarships

The Law School offers have a combination of awards ranging from non-renewable awards from specific donors to full-tuition renewable scholarships. Scholarships vary in size and terms.

Connecticut Scholarships
The Connecticut scholarship program offers renewable full tuition scholarships to admitted students. To maintain the scholarship, recipients must maintain a 3.0 grade point average. All admitted students from Connecticut are considered for Connecticut Scholarships. In 2011, 10 matriculants were awarded the Connecticut Scholarship and in 2012, 20 Scholarships were awarded. No Connecticut Scholarship has been revoked based on the 3.0 grade point average requirement.

Dean's Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded annually to incoming first-year students who have shown exceptional promise. Dean's Scholarships are partial tuition scholarships and are not renewable. All admitted applicants are considered for Dean’s Scholarships.

Ellsworth Scholars
The University of Connecticut Board of Trustees established the Ellsworth Scholarship to enhance geographic diversity. This scholarship is awarded to outstanding out-of-state residents.

Law School Foundation Scholarships
The University of Connecticut Law School Foundation, Inc. was established in 1974 to raise funds from the private sector to promote the educational and research objectives of the University of Connecticut School of Law. The Law School Foundation solicits, receives, invests, and administers gifts and financial resources from private sources for the benefit of the Law School.

There is no separate application required for Law School Foundation Scholarships; however, if you believe you meet the criteria for a Scholarship, the committee will accept a statement regarding your qualifications.

In addition to merit scholarships, the Law School also awards need-based scholarships and grants. Grants are awarded by the Student Finance Office.If you are applying for a grant, you must meet all financial aid deadlines, regardless of whether or not an admissions decision has been rendered.

Types of Grants

Tuition Remission Grants are awarded based on financial need. Day and evening students must be registered for at least 9 credits to be considered for a Tuition Remission Grant. Day students are awarded as full-time (12 or more credits) students. If a day student is registered for less than 12 and at least nine credits, the grant will be adjusted. To maintain eligibility, students must reapply every year. The amount awarded depends on the availability of funds and demonstrated financial need (total cost of education minus expected family contribution). All Tuition Remission grants are awarded based on the information reported on the FAFSA. Any changes to this information or changes in enrollment must be reported to the Student Finance Office.

Opportunity Grants are intended to pay for tuition and do not have to be repaid. Awards are based on financial need. Students must be full-time (at least 12 credits) in the Day Division. The amount of an award may vary according to financial need and the availability of funds. All Opportunity Grant awards are based on the information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any changes to information or changes in enrollment or residency status must be reported immediately to the Student Finance Office. Approximately 10 Opportunity Grants are awarded to each incoming class.

Previous recipients of an Opportunity Grant who meet the annual April deadline for grants will automatically be reconsidered for renewal. The renewal of an Opportunity Grant is contingent upon the level of funding received from the State, the student's level of need remaining the same, and the student meeting the annual application deadlines as set forth by the Student Finance Office.

Most of our students obtain at least one loan. The most utilized loan program is the Federal Stafford Direct Loan Program. This program offers unsubsidized loans up to $20,500 per year. Some of our students will also take on private or Grad Plus loans in order to meet their Cost of Attendance. Though your loan package may contain some or all loans, you are in no way obligated to take the full amount of loans. We encourage students to take a realistic approach to their finances and make the best decision for them personally.

Federal Stafford Direct Loan Program

Unsubsidized Stafford loans are not need-based, meaning they're available to all eligible students regardless of how much financial help they need. Students are responsible for the interest on unsubsidized loans.

The annual maximum amount of the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan is $20,500.

First time borrowers at the School of Law must complete an Entrance Counseling Interview and a Master Promissory Note.

FEES: There are fees associated with borrowing a Federal Direct Stafford Loan. Beginning with the 2013-2014 award year, the U.S. Department of Education will be charging a 1.072% fee. This fee is deducted from the loan by the Department of Education before the proceeds are credited to your student account.

The aggregate amount that a graduate/professional student may borrow is $65,500 in Subsidized Stafford loans. The total subsidized and unsubsidized that a student may borrow is $138,500. Both of these figures include ALL federal student loans borrowed, including loans obtained as an undergraduate.

Students may choose between the Federal Direct GRAD PLUS program and private educational loans. When choosing a loan program and a lender, it is important to consider the rate of interest, the flexibility of repayment plans, and the repayment incentives that are offered by the lender. Students considering public service careers should learn more about the Income Based Repayment Plan and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Credit check conducted to establish eligibility even when additional loans are requested. In order to qualify without an endorser, a student must have no adverse credit as defined in federal regulations: 90 days or more delinquent on any debt, or having a credit report that shows default, discharge, foreclosure, repossession, tax lien, wage garnishment, or write-off of a Title IV debt (including Stafford Loans), during the five years preceding the date of the credit report.

FEES: There are fees associated with borrowing a Federal Direct Grad Plus Loan. The U.S. Department of Education charges a 4.0288% fee. This fee is deducted from the loan by the Department of Education before the proceeds are credited to your student account.

Private Loans

Non-federal private loan options

Variable interest rates; most have no cap

Repayment options vary by lender.

Total of all grants, Stafford Loans, GRAD Plus loans and Private loans CANNOT exceed a student's cost of attendance

The Federal Work-Study Program provides funds for part-time employment for students needing extra assistance financing law school. Most work-study students at UConn Law work in the Thomas J. Meskill Law Library; others work in administrative offices around campus.